Happy 2010. We all hope the economy will get better but many are not so certain.  Attitude is critical. Retooling is critical.  Your people are critical.  Look within:  It's time to make sure you are treating your people right!  Some may say, "What?   This is the best time ever for employers.  People are scared to death of losing their jobs.  They have to put up with (fill in the blank). We employers have never had it better."  This is true on so many levels but here is the key:  Unhappy Employees = Unhappy Customers. 

You don't think your employee can fake a smile while blogging insults about your company?  You don't think your customers can be turned off by a sour attitude while your employee dodges verbal bullets from her/his boss?  How long do you think your business will last with this sort of negative energy oozing from your corporate pores?   In the end, it will be blamed on the economy instead of what it really is: Bad Management. 

 

Everyone is going to be "pickier" this year.  Customers and employers. Employers will be foreced to pick and choose who to keep, who to let go.  What will the survivors do?  Ask yourself the following questions: 

Did you conduct a layoff with dignity? 

Look within:  Does your company's supervisor act like a jerk behind your back? 

Do employees get a knot in their stomach when driving to work? 

 

HR in the "NEW" economy  is about proper treatment of people.  The obvious reason is because it will have a ripple affect on your customers. If you are just a "bottom line" thinker let that be your guide.  Hopefully, you are more than that as an employer and your motive for proper treatment is because it is the right thing to do.  Let's face it, people are scared, people are depressed, people are moody.  Do you want your company to be part of the thousands that are institutions of lean and mean? Or you do want your place to be productive and team oriented--with a spirit of "we can do this" where everyone focuses on the common goal instead of getting caught up in fingerpointing and survivor's guilt. Both companies may "survive" in this new economy but the positive "we can do this" company will do more. We can help if you need it.  Let's make this the best year yet for your remaining employees. Your customers will love you for it and you'll be the "strong company" that not just survives but thrives!